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FDA OKs First Human Trial of Neural Stem Cell Therapy
An anonymous reader sends word that the FDA has approved a phase 1 trial for Neuralstem, a company with a patented stem cell procedure targeting ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and other spinal conditions. The company's CEO said in a press release, "While this trial aims to primarily establish safety and feasibility data in treating ALS patients, we also hope to be able to measure a slowing down of the ALS degenerative process." Results are expected in 2 years. The trial will involve 12 ALS patients who will receive stem cell injections in the lumbar area of the spinal cord. An information site for the disabled community adds hopefully: "If it makes it through all stages of testing, we will see if doctors are willing to [use] it on subjects that have injuries coming from physical injuries like diving accidents."
A sandwich costs me about $20 to make. When I make it I have to buy new Miracle Whip cause the last one went moldy. That's almost $2. Then I buy a nice loaf of Potato Bread (usually Oroweat); about $4.5. If I don't have mustard, then that's another buck (but truthfully, mustard doesn't go bad any time soon so I usually have some on hand). A couple of roma tomatoes at $0.79/lbs, so figure another buck. A head of lettuce (preferably green leaf or butter) which varies wildly over the year, but say $1.25 for that 'cause it's summer. Then I need some deli style ham and that runs about $4-$5. If I'm making a BLT instead, I'm still paying $4-$5 for a pound of bacon. Since I'm having a sandwich, I need Frito-Lays which are usually around $3. I also need some cottage cheese for another $2.5 and a piece of fruit to slice (which is where your apple comes in) and put on the cottage cheese for another $0.75. Then to put all this down, I need a nice glass of cold milk, so I spend another $1.75 on a quart of whole milk unless I'm feeling particularly good, then I go over to the dairy and buy theirs for $2.50 cause it is way better than I can get at the store.